Singular they
Some usage writers condemn the use of the "singular they" when the gender is unknown or unimportant, but it is commonly used, both in speech and in writing (e.g. "If a customer requires help, they should contact..."). In fact, a consistent pattern of usage can be traced at least as far back as Shakespeare, and possibly even back to Middle English. It avoids arguably awkward constructions using e.g. disjunctives, such as he or she. This usage is authorised and preferred by the Australian Government Manual of Style for official usage in government documents. Those who wish to avoid the use of the "singular they" can sometimes do so by rephrasing the sentence using a plural noun (e.g. "For assistance, customers should contact their...").
Read more about this topic: English Personal Pronouns
Famous quotes containing the word singular:
“Panurge was of medium stature, neither too large, nor too small ... and subject by nature to a malady known at the time as “Money-deficiency,”Ma singular hardship; nevertheless, he had sixty-three ways of finding some for his needs, the most honorable and common of which was by a form of larceny practiced furtively.”
—François Rabelais (1494–1553)